AUTOFORUM

BAIC reveals D20 and X25 SUV at Festival of Motoring

Aug 21, 2019 BAIC, festival of motoring, D20, X25

BAIC reveals D20 and X25 SUV at Festival of Motoring

Following the announcement in 2017 that Chinese state-owned enterprise, Beijing Automotive Industrial Corporation (BAIC), was investing R11-billion in South Africa for an automotive manufacturing plant near Port Elizabeth, came the first introduction of its vehicles, the D20 compact and the X25 SUV vehicles.

Available in South Africa in both hatchback and sedan guises, the D20 draws on the Mercedes-Benz's Smart ForFour chassis, making use of the automaker's technology sharing agreement with the German giant.

The local D20 range comprises numerous hatchback and sedan derivatives, with the former body style offered with either a 1.3-litre (75kW/128Nm) or 1.5-litre (85kW/148Nm) naturally aspirated petrol engine - both paired with options of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. The D20 sedan comes exclusively with a 1.5-litre engine and automatic transmission. Both engine units are Euro 5 compliant.

Two trim levels are on offer, namely Comfort and Fashion. The Comfort model includes rear foglamps, automatic headlamps, electric windows, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, reversing sensors and automatic illumination of the luggage compartment.

The Fashion level adds an electric sunroof, day-time running lights, alloy wheels, automatic folding side-mirrors, an audio system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, automatic rain sensors, USB, CD player and radio. All variants feature disc brakes at all four corners (complete with ABS and EBD), two airbags, and a pair of Isofix mountings in the rear.

BAIC’s sporty and stylish X25 compact crossover is filled with features expected in larger SUVs and brings a breath of fresh air and novelty to the Compact SUV car market. The MBtech (Mercedes-Benz Technology) chassis platform is coupled with SAAB’s design standards and development process, ensuring the engineering quality of the vehicle.

The X25 is powered by a 1.5-litre aluminium engine, featuring fuel efficient variable-valve timing technology and a variable-length intake manifold. Gearbox options include a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Active safety braking features include anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and electronic braking assistance (EBA). Other standard safety features include front driver and passenger airbags, as well as a pair of Isofix child seat anchors in the rear. A security alarm and immobiliser are also included as standard.

The base X25 Comfort combines a modern interior and upmarket finishings with sporty exterior, including matte chrome side bars, darkened windows, useful roof rails, and six-spoke alloy wheels. The interior of the X25 is made more fashionable with a large touchscreen in the middle of the console and a blue backlit instrument cluster. Novel air vents shaped in the BAIC logo flank a classy analogue clock. The modern infotainment system also includes smartphone connectivity.

All D20 and X25 derivatives boast a five-year/120 000km warranty, with service intervals at 10 000km, the first service requirement being at 3 000km, and it comes as a free service to the customer.

BAIC offerred a sneak preview of the South Africa-bound B40 PLUS SUV at the Festival of Motoring Johannesburg. The new all-terrain SUV is set to join the compact D20 and X25 crossover in the South African line-up and is destined for South Africa in the first quarter of 2020.

BAIC state that the new SUV features a body-on-frame design, selectable 4WD system with an electronically activated low-range transfer case, and rear diff-lock to help it tackle the toughest South African terrain. At the front, the B40 PLUS uses a double-wishbone coil spring suspension, while at the rear a five-link rigid axle setup, to ensure maximum comfort and off-road capability.

The South African market will be the first in the world to debut the new B40 PLUS in right-hand drive configuration, demonstrating the importance of the region for BAIC.

More detailed local specifications and pricing will be made available closer to time of launch in the first quarter of 2020.